Vacuum cleaner conversion system

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner conversion system utilizes a container or receptacle with an open top. A cover unit is configured to be positioned over the top of the receptacle and to be clamped to the receptacle to form a watertight connection. A first conduit extends through the cover unit. The conduit has an upper section extending above the cover and a lower section extending below the cover and into the receptacle. The lower section is totally enclosed at its lowermost end, but has an opening extending through its side surface. A second conduit extends through the cover. The second conduit has an upper section extending above the cover and a lower section extending below the cover and into the receptacle. The second conduit is open at its lowermost end. The first conduit has a connector providing an airtight connection between the conduit and a hose connected to a stand-up vacuum. The second conduit has a connector which establishes a watertight connection between the conduit and a hose extending to a dirt and debris collector nozzle unit. Once all elements of the conversion systems are in place, the vacuum cleaner is turned on. The suction provided by the vacuum cleaner extends through the first conduit and its opening, into the receptacle, and through the second conduit, its hose, and the nozzle unit, which allows the nozzle to suck up wet dirt and debris back through the wet hose, into the second conduit and then into the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently the only machines which are routinely used to suck up water, wet dirt and other saturated debris from carpets, rugs, floors, and like surfaces are wet/vacs. Thus, cleaning these surfaces will require the user to either rent a wet/vac unit or incur the expense of purchasing one. While most people do already have vacuum cleaners, such vacuum type units are not designed to clean-up water or water soaked debris. Using vacuum cleaners for this function will clog vacuum filters, soak vacuum bags, ruin hoses, and ultimately destroy the vacuum cleaner. The ability to effectively use a basic vacuum cleaner unit to suck-up and clean water saturated dirt and debris, without damaging the unit, would save the consumer the trouble and, significantly, the expense of renting or purchasing separate wet/vac equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a conversion system for a stand alone vacuum cleaner which will allow the vacuum cleaner to be utilized as a wet/vac to suck-up and clean water and wet dirt and debris without damaging the vacuum cleaner.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a conversion system for a stand alone vacuum cleaner which can quickly and easily be adapted for use with most any vacuum cleaner as a wet/vac.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a conversion system for a stand alone vacuum cleaner which, when connected to a vacuum cleaner, will effectively operate as a wet/vac and, when wet/vac cleaning is completed, will allow the vacuum cleaning to return to its normal dry vacuuming functions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conversion system for a stand alone vacuum cleaner which has relatively few components and so is economical and relatively easy to fabricate.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a vacuum cleaner conversion system which comprises a container or receptacle with an open top. A cover unit is configured to be positioned over the top of the receptacle and to be clamped to the receptacle to form a watertight connection. A first conduit extends through the cover unit. The conduit has an upper section extending above the cover and a lower section extending below the cover and into the receptacle. The lower section is totally enclosed at its lowermost end, but has an opening extending through its side surface. A second conduit extends through the cover. The second conduit has an upper section extending above the cover and a lower section extending below the cover and into the receptacle. The second conduit is open at its lowermost end. The first conduit has a connector providing an airtight connection between the conduit and a hose connected to a stand-up vacuum. The second conduit has a connector which establishes a watertight connection between the conduit and a hose extending to a dirt and debris collector nozzle unit. Once all elements of the conversion systems are in place, the vacuum cleaner is turned on. The suction provided by the vacuum cleaner extends through the first conduit and its opening, into the receptacle, and through the second conduit, its hose, and the nozzle unit, which allows the nozzle to suck up wet dirt and debris back through the wet hose, into the second conduit and then into the receptacle.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention as it is designed to be used with a stand alone vacuum cleaner unit.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, bottom view of the lid component of the vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, lateral view of the lid component of the vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention comprises container or receptacle 2 having an open top. Lid component 4 comprises cover section 6 configured to be positioned over the open top of receptacle 2. Lid clamps 8 and 9, with gasket 10, secure lid component 4 onto receptacle 2, providing a watertight seal between the lid component and the receptacle.

Lid component 4 further comprises conduit 12 which extends through cover 6 of the lid component. Conduit 12 comprises upper section 14 which extends above cover 6 at a right angle thereto and lower section 16 which extends into receptacle 2. Lowermost end 18 of lower section 16 is totally closed off. However, opening 20 extends through a side of lower section 16. Screen member 22 overlays opening 20 to prevent dirt and debris from entering conduit 12. Upper section 14 of conduit 12 comprises end connector 24 configured to provide an airtight seal between conduit 12 and dry hose or similar passage 26 extending between the connector and stand alone vacuum unit or similar suction producing component 50.

Conduit 32 also extends through cover 6 of lid component 4. Conduit 32 comprises upper section 34 which extends above cover 6 at a right angle thereto and lower section 36 which extends into receptacle 2. Lower section 36 is open at its lowermost end 38. When cover 6 is in place on receptacle 2, lowermost end 38 of conduit 32 is, at all times, configured to be lower within the receptacle than lowermost end 18 of conduit 12, as best seen in FIG. 1. Check valve 40 is provided within lower section 36 of conduit 32. Upper section 34 of conduit 32 comprises end connector 44 configured to provide a waterproof seal between wet hose or similar passage 46 extending between the connector and dirt and debris nozzle or similar collector 48 is at the end of the hose.

In operation, cover 6 of lid component 4, with conduits 12 and 32 extending therefrom, is secured over the open top of receptacle 2 by lid clamps 8 and 9. As previously discussed, lid clamps 8 and 9, along with gasket 10, provide a watertight seal between lid component 4 and receptacle 2. Dry hose 26 from vacuum cleaner 50 is connected to end connector 18 of conduit 12, so as to provide an airtight seal between the hose and the conduit. Similarly, wet hose 46 is connected to end connector 44 of conduit 32, thus providing a watertight seal between the hose and the conduit.

Vacuum cleaner 50 is turned on to provide vacuum suction force 52 through dry hose 26 and then through conduit 12, its opening 20, receptacle 2, conduit 32, wet hose 46, and collection nozzle 48. It is significant that opening 20 must be positioned on the side surface of lower section 16 of conduit 12, to allow suction force 52 into receptacle 2. It has been found that providing openings anywhere other than through the side surface of conduit 12 produces unacceptable results. For instance, opening the bottom of conduit 12 results in an extreme vacuum force within receptacle 2 which causes or enhances the likelihood that the receptacle will collapse when subjected to suction. Opening the bottom of conduit 12 may also allow dirt and debris to enter the conduit. These problems are eliminated with the positioning of smaller opening 20 through a side surface of conduit 12. Similarly, it is important that lowermost end 18 of conduit 12 not only be closed, but also be positioned above lowermost end 38 of lower section 36 of conduit 32. This will also ensure that no dirt and debris enters conduit 12 and, hence, dry hose 26.

As suction force 52 is created by vacuum cleaner 50, collector 48 is utilized to vacuum up wet and dry dirt and debris 60. This suctioned wet and dry dirt and debris 60 is sucked through wet hose 46 and through conduit 32 where it is discharged and accumulated within receptacle 2. Check valve 40 ensures that there is only a one way flow of dirt and debris 60 into the receptacle and that nothing flows back through conduit 32.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner conversion system of the present invention allows the use of an existing vacuum cleaner to be employed as a wet/vac to suck up wet and dry dirt and debris, without contaminating or damaging the vacuum cleaner or its hose components with dirt and debris. The hose which is supplied with every vacuum cleaner can simply be connected to the vacuum cleaner conversion system, via airtight end connector 24 of conduit 12 of the system, and the vacuum cleaner then used to collect both wet and dry dirt and debris through the other components of the system.

As seen in FIG. 2, it is contemplated that receptacle 2 could be made of transparent material, so as to allow the user to observe the level of collection of dirt and debris as it is accumulating within the receptacle. Of course check valve 40 provides an additional means to ensure that the dirt and debris does not back up through conduit 32.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A vacuum cleaner conversion system for a stand alone suction vacuum cleaner, said system comprising: receptacle means for the accumulation of suctioned wet and dry dirt and debris, said receptacle means having an open top; lid means for covering the open top of the receptacle means, said lid means comprising first conduit means extending through, below, and above the lid means for providing a suction force to and within the receptacle means, and second conduit means extending through, below, and above the lid means for directing the flow of said dirt and debris into the receptacle means; and means for providing a watertight seal between the lid means and the receptacle means, whereby upon application of a suction force through the first conduit, said dirt and debris are sucked through the second conduit and into the receptacle means.
 2. The system as in claim 1 wherein the lowermost end of the first conduit means is totally enclosed, the first conduit means having opening means extending through a side surface of said first conduit means for allowing the suction force access through the first conduit means to the receptacle means.
 3. The system as in claim 2 wherein the second conduit means is open at its lowermost end.
 4. The system as in claim 3 wherein when the lid means covers the open top of the receptacle means, the lowermost end of the first conduit means is at all times located above the lowermost end of the second conduit means.
 5. The system as in claim 1 wherein when the lid means covers the open top of the receptacle means, the lowermost end of the first conduit means is at all times located above the lowermost end of the second conduit means.
 6. The system as in claim 5 wherein the first conduit means comprises opening means for allowing the suction force access through the first conduit means to the receptacle means, said opening means extending through a side surface of the first conduit means.
 7. The system as in claim 1 further comprising passage means for directing the flow of the suction force between a vacuum cleaner and the first conduit means, and connection means for providing an airtight seal between the passage means and the first conduit means.
 8. The system as in claim 1 further comprising passage means for directing the flow of said dirt and debris to the second conduit means, and connection means for providing a watertight seal between the passage means and the second conduit means.
 9. The system as in claim 7 further comprising second passage means for directing the flow of said dirt and debris to the second conduit means, and second connection means for providing a watertight seal between the second passage means and the second conduit means.
 10. The system as in claim. 1 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal comprises lid clamps extending from the lid means.
 11. A vacuum cleaner conversion system for a stand alone suction vacuum cleaner, said system comprising: receptacle means for the accumulation of suctioned wet and dry dirt and debris, said receptacle means having an open top; lid means for covering the open top of the receptacle means; a first conduit extending through the lid means, said first conduit having an upper section above the lid means and a lower section below the lid means which extends into the receptacle means, said lower section being totally closed at its lowermost end, and an opening extending through the side surface of the lower section; a second conduit extending through the lid means, said second conduit having an upper section above the lid means and a lower section below the lid means which extends into the receptacle means, said lower section being opened at its lowermost end; and means for providing a watertight seal between the lid means and the receptacle means, whereby upon application of a suction force through the first conduit means, said dirt and debris are sucked through the second conduit means and into the receptacle means.
 12. The system as in claim 11 wherein when the lid means covers the open top of the receptacle means, the lowermost end of the first conduit means is at all times located above the lowermost end of the second conduit means.
 13. The system as in claim 11 further comprising passage means for directing the flow of the suction force between a vacuum cleaner and the first conduit means, and connection means for providing an airtight seal between the passage means and the first conduit means.
 14. The system as in claim 11 further comprising passage means for directing the flow of said dirt and debris to the second conduit, and connection means for providing a watertight seal between the passage means and the second conduit.
 15. The system as in claim 13 further comprising second passage means for directing the flow of said dirt and debris to the second conduit means, and second connection means for providing a watertight seal between the second passage means and the second conduit means.
 16. The system as in claim 11 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal comprises lid clamps extending from the lid means. 